Uber may prevent DUI deaths

Researchers looking at drunk driving accident statistics in California found evidence that car-sharing services like Uber save lives. After analyzing data gathered between 2009 and 2014, researchers from said that the number of fatal drunk driving accidents in certain areas goes down by between 3.6 and 5.6 percent once Uber enters the market.

Every year in the United States, there are 13,000 deaths related to drunk driving accidents. Researchers from the Fox School of Business at Temple University who conducted the Uber study said that if Uber ride-sharing services were implemented nationwide, 500 lives would be saved each year. Researchers say that ride-sharing services like Uber create more competition in the marketplace and bring prices down. People are less likely to drive drunk when more ride-sharing services are available.

Critics of Uber have claimed that ride-sharing services lead to more non-alcohol related car accidents because the services are less regulated than the traditional cab industry. However, researchers did not find any evidence to support this concern. In fact, research suggests that loosening regulations and allowing more taxi companies to compete for riders could actually make the roads safer. Researchers from the Uber study say that bars and restaurants may be able to help reduce drunk driving fatalities by working with Uber.

Despite the availability of taxis and ride-sharing services, some people still choose to get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated. A person who has been injured in a drunk driving auto accident may want to speak with an attorney about filing a personal injury claim against the impaired motorist. Many victims seek compensation for property damage, medical expenses and lost wages.